Carrier



R. G. MACK Feb. 4, 1958 CARRIER 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed May 31, 1955INVENTOR. firmed 6. Mar

irfdfi/vi) Feb. 4, 1958 R. G. MACK 2,822,117

CARRIER Filed May 31, l955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. 90mm d/VAQKUnited States Patent CARRIER Richard G. Mack, Palo Alto, Calif.

Application May 31, 1955, Serial No. 511,859

8 Claims. (Cl. 224-8) This invention relates to improvements in carriersfor packs, children and various types of loads, which may be carriedwith comfort on the back of an individual. There have been various packsand carriers devised for the purpose of supporting loads carried on thebacks of human beings. Most of them are heavy and uncomfortable and arenot designed or intended to carry the maximum load with the minimumdiscomfort and weight. Also, most of them are single purpose carriers,designed to accomplish only a single specific use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrier which isstrong enough to support loads upwards of one hundred pounds, and yet beextremely light in its own Weight. It is intended that the carriershould not exceed a weight of four pounds with all of its attachments.

It is another object of the present invention to supply a carrier whichis supported in position on the back of a human being by two heavy-dutyshoulder straps secured to a flexible back member for distributing theload, with buckle adjustments or the like for the straps and a bow backsupport which fits just above the small of the back of the bearer.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a support for thecarrier which will position it at least forwardly with respect to aperpendicular to the ground level so as to eliminate any dangling oroverhead effect which the natural curves of the human back necessarilyproduce with the conventional packs and carriers of the prior art. It isalso to be observed that in achieving this angle infant cargo is in aslightly reclining seated position, which is both comfortable andrestful, as well as orthopedically correct.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsiblecarrying unit which may be folded into a compact form so that when it isnot in use it occupies a minimum of space, both for storage andtransportation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a readilyconvertible carrier, which, by the application of simple attachments,may be converted into an infants automobile seat, readily secured to theback of an automobile seat, or with other simple attachments convertedinto a campaign chair for rest and relaxation.

It is likewise an object of the present invention to provide a carrierwhich gives freedom of action of the arms and hands of the wearer forany kind of rigorous activity, without disturbing the comfort of thewearer or the load and without danger to the load.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a carrier whichmay be used by women as well as men with out any danger of fatigue orother discomfort, or temporary or permanent damage to the body of thewearer.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,economy and ease of assembly and disassembly, also such other objects,advantages and capabilities as will fully appear and as are inherentlypossessed by the device and the invention described herein.

The invention further resides in the'combination, construction andarrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying two sheets ofdrawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment,together with two sets of attachments therefor, it is to be understoodthat the same ismerely illustrative of the invention and that theinvention is capable of modification and comprehends other details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope ofthe appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the carrier as it would appear onthe back of the wearer;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the carrier shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the carrier folded, or in thecollapsed position;

Figure 4 is a detail of the joint fixtures used in the device;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the carrier shown in Figure l;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the carrier in position as acampaign chair;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the carrier adapted for use as aninfants automobile seat; and

Figure 8 is the detail of one of the hook attachments to convert thecarrier into an infants automobile seat, showing the locking means.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which like referencenumerals indicate like parts in the several views, the underlyingstructure of the carrier is preferably tubular aluminum, although anyother suitable material may be used. The frame for the seat or platformis a U-shaped tubular member 10, the open ends 11 of which are flattenedin order to provide bearing surfaces for other parts which are connectedthereto. Pivotally attached to the bearing surfaces 11 by means of boltsand wing nuts 12, or any other readily operable tightening means, areoutwardly angled bracket members 14 which rigidly support plates 15 attheir open ends. The plate 15 is provided with a vertical slot 16adjacent its outward edge, for securing the back brace or bow 17, whichfits just above the small of the back of the wearer. It is apparent thatthe back brace or bow 17 is preferably of a flexible and pliable, butsturdy fabric, the ends of which are looped through the vertical slots16 of the stationary bracket 15 and secured back on itself in anysuitable manner such as stitching or riveting. The vertical adjustmentof this back brace or bow is accomplished by loosening the wing nuts andbolts 12 and moving the brackets 14 pivotally thereon to the adjustedposition and then tightening the wing nuts. Very little verticaladjustment is required, even though there may be a great difference inthe respective heights of the wearers.

Adjacent the ends of the leg members of the U-frame 10 is a spreader bar18 which may either be flat stock, as shown in Figure 2, or tubular, asare the other members. The spreader bar 18 is rigidly secured to theU-member 10. Between the fastening of the spreader bar 18 and theflattened ends 11 of the U- member 10 is a joint fixture 20, which fitsaround the tubular leg and is secured thereto by the rivet 21, or in anyother suitable manner. The joint fixture 20 is provided with anupstanding slot 22, having a bore 23 horizontally through the side wallsthereof for pivotally mounting the flattened ends 24 of the U-shapedback frame 25. The slot of the bracket 20 is provided with a solid back26 to permit pivotal movement only within a range of substantially Theback frame 25 is preferably bent at 27 and 28 and, while the top thereofand the open ends of the leg members are in substantially the sameplane, the bends 27 and 28 are respectively outwardly and inwardlytoward this plane in order to insure that no metal will rub or bearagainst any part of the wearer.

On the legs of the back member 25 and spaced from the pivoted endsthereof, are other joint fixture members with the back 26 downwardly.Pivotally secured within these brackets 20 are the flattened ends 30 ofa third U-shaped member 31, which may act as an arm rest for infantcargo or young children, orfor confining arock sack or other pack. It isapparent that member 31 pivots upwardly on pivot 32, substantially 90 tolie alongside the leg members of the back 25, in the folded' position. v

Adjacent, but below, the bend 28 in the back member 25, and on both legsthereof, is a rearwardly protruding button 33, rigidly secured therein,the purpose and function of which will be discussed later herein.

The seat or base 34 of the carrier is preferably of a tough, strongfabric. Aswill be seen, particularly in Figure 2, it is a doublethickness sewed with a seam 35 on the perimeter and with an internalseam 36, conforming in general to the shape of the member 10 and closedalong the rear. A from retaining strap 37'is also folded to form adouble thickness and is looped over the retaining member 31. The twoends pass through the seam 35 of the seat 34 at the front edge, underthe frame member 10 and are retained by the stitching to thebottom 34,or by rivets, or in any other acceptable manner. Similarly, there are apair of side retaining straps 38 which encircle the legs of the U-member31 and are attached in a similar manner asstrap 37, to the seat 34.

The back support for the load, as well as providing a yielding pressuremember against the back of the wearer, is a single piece of strong,tough. fabric 40, one edge of which, 41, is directly secured, by sewingor the like, between the two layers of the seat material. 34. It passesupwardly over the back frame 25. and: downwardly, under and around thespreader bar 18, where it. is then folded back upon itself and securedin. any suitable manner, such as stitching or riveting. With this:arrangement it is easily seen that the front portion of this backsupport 40 operates as a yielding back support-for the. burden. carriedby the wearer, while the rear portion. will conform to the back of thewearer and spread the load over a substantial area.

It will be seen, especially in Figures 1 and 5, that two carrying straps43 and 44 are sewed or otherwise firmly secured as at 42 to the rearportion of the back support member 40 adjacent the top. They arepreferably of a tough yieldable material, such" as a belting fabriccapable of withstanding the pull of the load. The. other end-is securedin an adjustable manner through the groove 45 which is at an angle inthe plate 15; As is shown in Figure 1, the adjustable portion. 46 ofthestrap 44- may be of leather with a buckle 49. or-other'form' ofadjustable connection, so that theshoulder straps43and- 44 maybeproperlycfitted to accommodate the comfort and form of the wearer.

The carrier of the present invention is shown in the collapsed or foldedform in Figure 3. This position may be accomplished merely by pivotingthe lower frame member upwardly about the pivots 29, and also moving theupper frame member 31 pivotally aboutthe pivots32. In this position aminimum space is: required either for storage or for transportation andpacking to a point of use.

In Figure 6 there is shown the adaptation of the carrier into the formof a campaign chair. In order to accomplish this purpose all that isnecessary isto loosen-wing nut 12 and adjust the brackets 14 to thevertical position so that the long edge of the plate 15 becomes therearfoot of the chair leg at either side. In order to provide'front legs forthe chair, the frame 10 is drilled laterally to receive bolts 47 withwing nuts 48. Provision is made in the seam 35 of the fabric member.34'to-permit.the bolts to extend therethrough as at 50 in Figure l.T-he'wing nuts 48 are removed and separate leg members 51, with solidfooting members 52 in place thereon and fiattened'bearing portions 53suitably drilled to beireceived on bolts 47, are placed in the positionshown in Figure 6 andthe wing'nut 48'tightened. The frontstrapmemberSTm-ay have buttons 54 so that the strap 37 can be removedfrom the member 31, leaving the seat open for an occupant if this isdesired. It is apparent that if the seat is to be occupied by a child,it is desirable to leave the strap 37 in place.

.In Figure 7 there is shown the carrier adapted as a childs auxiliaryautomobile seat, and this is accomplished by merely removing the bracketmembers 14 with their attached plates 15, and attaching the hook members55 which are also shown in detail in Figure 8. The hook members areadapted to easily fit over the top of an automobile seat and to suspendas well as support the carrier. The vertical contacting foot 56 of thehook member 55 is provided with a hole 57, which islarge enough topermit the head of the button 33 to pass therethrough. Depending fromthe bore 57 is a slot 58 which receives the shank of the button member33. On the button head side of the book 55, when the carrier is in placethereon, is a swinging locklug 69 which is pivoted on pivot 61; When thebutton is in position with the shank of the-button 33 resting atthe'bottom of the slot 58, the lug; swings to the vertical position andbears tangentially against the head of the button 33 and prevents itfrom slipping out of engagement inadvertently.

It will be observed that the carrier of the present inventionaccomplishes the purposes and objectives previously set forth, as wellas many others which are not delineated specifically herein. It providesa carrier which is multipurpose, and yet which is light and strong andscientifically constructed for maximum comfort andcarrying. capacity.The bow, or back strap 17 positions the carrier a. sufiicient distancefrom the back of thewearer so that even if the wearer stands erect, thecarrier, itself, will be at an angle of substantially 15 from thevertical to give a slight reclining position to the seat and back,which. makes it comfortable and correct for infant cargo andyoungehildren, as well as balancing the loadin both human and nonhumancargos.

I claim:

1. A carrier for carrying cargo on the backofa wearer. comprisingincombination a U-shapedbaseframc, the open ends of which partiallysurround the wearer, slotted plates at each of the open ends of saidframe, a yielding, member secured between the saidslotted platesproviding a bow back support for the wearer, aretaining member joinedbetween the leg members of the U-shaped base frame rearwardly of saidhow back support and adjacent thereto, a fabric covering for said baseframe forming a seat or base, a back frame pivotally mounted onsaid'base frame said mounting being restricted to movement to and from.the operative position and-folded position, a. fabric member secured tosaid fabric seat, passing upwardly and over said backframeand se'curedtosaid retainingmember, and a pair of adjustable shoulder strapssecured.at one end to the back fabric-and at the other totheslotted plates ofthebase frame.

2. A carrier for carryingcargo on the back of a wearer comprising incombination a U-shapedbase-frame, the open ends of which partiallysurround thewearer, slotted plates at each ofthe open ends of saidframe, a yielding member. secured between the said slottedplatesproviding a bow back. support for the wearer, a fabric coveringfor said base frame forming a seat or base, aback frame pivotallymounted on said baseframe said: mounting being restricted to movement toand from the. operative position and the folded position, a fabricmember secured to said fabric seat, passing upwardly. andover-r saidbackframe and'secured to-the base frame, a retainingframe member pivotallymounted on said back frame and spaced upwardly from said base frame saidlastmentioned pivotal mounting being provided with a stop at theoperative-position, fabric panel members at thefront and.sidesassociated with the seator base and connecting said retaining:frame and base frame, and-a pain ofadjustable. shoulder strapssecuredatone endtothe back fabric and'at'the" other tothe slottcdplates of thebase frame.

3. A carrier for carrying cargo on the back of a wearer comprising incombination a U-shaped base frame, the open ends of which partiallysurround the wearer, slotted plates at each of the said open ends, ayielding member secured between the said slotted plates providing a bowback support for the wearer, a fabric covering for said base frameforming a seat or base, a back frame pivotally mounted on said baseframe said pivotal mounting having a stop at the operative positionpreventing movement therebeyond, a fabric member secured to said fabricseat, passing upwardly and over said back frame and secured to the baseframe, a retaining frame member pivotally mounted on said back frame andspaced upwardly from said base frame said last mentioned pivotalmounting having a stop in the operative position preventing movementtherebeyond, fabric panel members at the front and sides associated withthe seat or base and connecting said retaining frame and base frame,hook members removably attached to either side of said back frame, andlock means for locking said hook members on said back frame in operativeposition against anything except intentional release.

4. A carrier comprising in combination a U-shaped base frame, adjustablebracket members having slotted plates attached to the ends of said baseframe, a spreader adjacent the ends of said base frame and securedthereto, a U-shaped back frame having its ends pivotally attached tosaid base frame said last mentioned pivotal attachment having a stop atthe operative position, webbing secured to the base frame to form a seator platform, webbing secured to said back frame and adjustable strapsattached at one end to said base frame and to the slotted plates of saidbracket members at the other.

5. A carrier comprising in combination a U-shaped base frame, adjustablebracket members attached to the ends of said base frame, a spreaderadjacent the ends of said base frame, slotted plates on the ends of saidbracket members, and secured thereto, a U-shaped back frame having itsends pivotally attached to said base frame said pivotal attachmenthaving a stop at the operative position to prevent movement therebeyond,said back frame being bent forwardly toward the bottom and forwardlytoward the top thereof, webbing secured to the base frame to form a seator platform, webbing secured at one end to said seat and passing overthe top of said back frame with the other end secured to said spreader,and adjustable straps attached at one end to said back webbing and tothe bracket members at the other.

6. A carrier comprising in combination a U-shaped base frame, adjustablebracket members attached to the ends of said base frame, a spreaderadjacent the ends of said base frame and secured thereto, a U-shapedback frame having its ends pivotally attached to said base frame, saidback frame being bent forwardly toward the bottom and forwardly towardthe top thereof, webbing secured to the base frame to form a seat orplatform, webbing secured at one end to said seat and passing over thetop of said back frame with the other end secured to said spreader, aretainer U-shaped frame, the ends of which are pivotally secured to saidback frame and spaced above said base frame, webbing at the front andsides det-achably connecting said base frame and said retainer frame,and adjustable straps attached at one end to said back webbing and tothe bracket members at the other.

7. A carrier comprising in combination a tubular U shaped base frame,adjustable bracket members attached to the ends of said base frame, aspreader adjacent the ends of said base frame and secured thereto, atubular U-shaped back frame having its ends pivotally attached to saidbase frame said pivotal attachment having a stop at the operativeposition preventing movement there beyond, said back frame being bentforwardly toward the bottom and forwardly toward the top thereof,webbing secured to the base frame to form a seat or platform, webbingsecured around said back frame, a tubular retainer U-shaped frame, theends of which are pivotally secured to said back frame and spaced abovesaid base frame said last mentioned pivotal mounting having a stop atthe operative position to prevent movement and beyond, webbing at thefront and sides detachably connecting said base frame and said retainerframe, and adjustable straps attached at one end to said base frame andto the bracket members at the other.

8. A carrier comprising in combination a tubular U- shaped base frame,adjustable bracket members attached to the ends of said base frame, aspreader secured adjacent the ends of said base frame and rigidlyconnecting them, a tubular U-shaped back frame having its ends pivotallyattached to said base frame, said pivotal attachment having a stop atthe operative position preventing movement therebeyond, said back framebeing bent forwardly toward the top, webbing secured on the base frameto form a seat or platform, Webbing secured around the back frame, atubular retainer U-shaped frame the ends of which are pivotally securedto said back frame and spaced above said base frame, said last mentionedpivotal attachment having a stop at the operative position preventingmovement of said retainer frame therebeyond, fabric panel members at thefront and sides associated with the seat or base and connecting saidretaining frame and base frame, hook members removably attached toeither side of said back frame, and lock means for locking said hookmembers on said back frame in operative position against anything exceptintentional release.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,104,486 Johansen Ian. 4, 1938 2,712,404 Miller July 5, 1955 FOREIGNPATENTS 449,569 Great Britain June 30, 1936 960,444 France Oct. 24, 1949

